Springfield holiday season to begin with Downtown Tree Lighting at Park Central Square

(From the City of Springfield)

Join Mayor Ken McClure with special guest Dino Kartsonakis, America’s Piano Showman, for the annual Downtown Tree Lighting on Park Central Square Saturday Nov. 18.

Enjoy free hot chocolate during the pre-show beginning at 6 p.m. with pianist Luke Cooksey playing holiday favorites and a performance from Springfield Little Theatre’s “The Santa Sessions.” Dino will take the stage at 6:20 p.m.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and other celebrity guests, including Buddy the Elf and everyone’s favorite winter princesses, will also make appearances. Santa’s mailbox (a decked-out mailbox provided by the U.S. Postal Service) will be on-site for children to send their letters to Santa.

The lighting of the Park Central Square Christmas tree will occur at 7 p.m., followed by a performance by musical group 3.Little.Birds, a dance performance by Studio Vie, the Jingle Bell March around the square and photo ops with Santa and the other characters.

The City of Springfield will partner with the Mayor’s Commission for Children to host “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” story times at 7:15, 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. at Park Central Branch Library. Each child in attendance will receive a free book.

Free carriage rides courtesy of the Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District will be available 7-10 p.m. Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway, will again offer free ice skating 6:15-8:15 p.m. Skate rental is $3. Be sure to take in the thousands of musical Christmas lights and decorated Norway spruce by strolling the path at Jordan Valley Park east of the ice park.

The Downtown Tree Lighting kicks of Festival of Lights, a flurry of holiday activities throughout November and December that includes include horse-drawn carriage rides, free ice skating, holiday productions, shows and concerts and the Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade Dec. 9.

Festival of Lights is presented by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, the Downtown Springfield Association, the Downtown Springfield CID and the City of Springfield.